An Interview With Lisa Taylor

I sent Lisa Taylor of Parsley, Sage, Desserts and Line Drives a list of interview questions and she was kind enough to answer them! Thanks a lot, Lisa! She has some great tips and talks about her own experiences in writing her blog so without further ado…

Name: Lisa Taylor (Parsley, Sage, Desserts and Line Drives)
Blog URL : http://lisamichele.wordpress.com

Additional info:

1. When did you start blogging about food?

May of 2008.

2. What was your inspiration? Was it just a share-recipes-with friends sort of thing or a I-want-to-show-the-world idea?

It started as a way to release my culinary creative juices, and soon turned into quite an obsession – especially when it came to writing and photography, which I never knew I had in me (well, photography wise, without natural light, I’m not quite where I want to be, but I get it) lol

3. What was one of the first things you remember when you first started blogging? Your first comment, subscriber, etc.?

I remember thinking my photos were awesome (flash, low light, blur..lol) and I truly believed I was doing something special combining food and baseball.  I stopped writing about baseball long ago – it’s all about the food!  That said, my first comment was pretty exciting, especially since it was from someone I didn’t know!

 

4. What’s your favorite recipe you’ve posted?

Probably my Levain Bakery COPYCAT Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies.  They aren’t quite like Levain’s yet (still trying), but I ended up with a pretty darn good fat and chewy chocolate chip cookie.

5. What’s the ingredient you use the most and what’s your favorite dish you made with it?

BUTTER, REAL BUTTER, and in almost everything!!

6. If you were to start the experience all over again, what would you change?

I would change the name of my blog, no question.  Like I said above, it no longer has anything to do with baseball, and well, it’s too long in general.

7. How to you connect with your readers?

Definitely through my writing.  My friends say I write like I talk.  Plus, I love giving away stuff, not just stuff I’m sent to promote, but stuff I buy myself or happen to have on hand, brand new, that I never use or will never use.  Those are the best giveaways, from ME to them.

8. What do you think is the strongest part of your blog?

Definitely the writing.

9. And finally, what are some tips you would offer to a new food blogger?

Just enjoy yourself, don’t think about impressing people – do what you do best and you will shine!

So there you have it: wise words from Lisa Taylor (thanks again!).

An Interview with The Moonlight Baker

Now as you all know, I’ve been in the “food blogging world” for a little over a month. I’ve talked to many other more experienced bloggers and here’s what Kim, from The Moonlight Baker, had to say. (Thanks Kim for answering all these questions!)

Name: Kim (a.k.a. The Moonlight Baker)

Blog URL : www.themoonlightbaker.wordpress.com

Additional info:

1. When did you start blogging about food?

I started food blogging in July 2010, though I didn’t officially launch my blog until September.  I spent a good portion of the summer designing the site, coming up with recipes, and basically learning the ropes.

2. What was your inspiration? Was it just a share-recipes-with friends sort of thing or a I-want-to-show-the-world idea?

My initial inspiration was Joy the Baker.  I had just baked a root beer cake (without a recipe) . . . not the best idea.  I Googled similar recipes and found Joy’s blog.  I thought the whole concept of an online recipe/ life journal was awesome.

3. What was one of the first things you remember when you first started blogging? Your first comment, subscriber, etc.?

The first major moment of my blogging career was the first post I had published on TasteSpotting.  That day when I logged onto WordPress and saw the graph of my site stats, I was shocked and elated.  It was definitely a victory after having countless pictures rejected by TasteSpotting before.

4. What’s your favorite recipe you’ve posted?

My favorite recipe . . . hmm, that’s a toughie.  Can I give you 3 instead?  I’d have to go with: Apple Cider Bundt with Cream Cheese Frosting, Mexican Hot Chocolate Bark, and Vanilla Bean Semifreddo with Fresh Raspberry Sauce.

5. What’s the ingredient you use the most and what’s your favorite dish you made with it?

My favorite/ most used ingredient is definitely chocolate.  And again, I’d have to go with that Mexican Hot Chocolate Bark.  So addictive!

6. If you were to start the experience all over again, what would you change?

I would exercise more!

7. How to you connect with your readers?

I try to be as genuine as possible in my posts, and I feel like that is the best way to connect with readers.  Really delicious-looking pictures certainly help, too!

8. What do you think is the strongest part of your blog?

I think the strongest part is the collection of recipes.  I post recipes that I’ve really enjoyed and am really proud of.  I hope that those who try the recipes feel the same way.

9. And finally, what are some tips you would offer to a new food blogger?

Make sure your blog has a unique voice – your voice.  And most importantly, have fun!  (And exercise!)